Homeowners residing in low-income neighborhoods in northern Lenoir may have noticed a flyer left at their door by Duke Energy. Those who tossed the flyer in the trash before reading it may not realize that Duke is offering some free services to help customers save money.

A former chairman of the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission and a business professor who is an authority on tourism and strategic planning are losing their seats on the EDC’s board of directors. Replacing them, and filling a vacant seat, are a county commissioner, a radio talk show host and the owner of a certified public accounting firm.

Customers of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp. will see their rates stay unchanged for the second consecutive year, the company’s chief executive officer announced Thursday at Blue Ridge’s annual meeting at its corporate office in Lenoir, where Kelly Melton also was elected to represent the Caldwell district on the board of directors.

Sam Rhodes, an agent of New York Life Insurance Co. and the owner of Carolina First Associates, has qualified for the Top of the Table status of the Million Dollar Round Table – The Premier Association of Financial Professionals.

People lined up outside Buffalo Mercantile Co. and Cafe ahead of the store’s noon grand opening Saturday. Buffalo Mercantile Company was in operation from 1897 until 2006, and nine years later, local customers said they are pleased to see the store re-opening under the ownership of Tom Kassab. Kassab said he looks forward to carrying on traditions with the store while introducing new things, such as Italian cuisine and coffee blends.

After filing for bankruptcy protection, RadioShack released a list in February of 1,149 corporate-owned stores that could close, and the corporate-owned Lenoir store was not on the list. However, RadioShack spokesperson Casey Larsen said Wednesday that the store is scheduled to close by the end of June because of restructuring.